On July 5, 2023, at approximately 12:04 a.m., Minneapolis police officers responded to a report of a shooting in the 1300 block of Olson Memorial Highway. Upon arrival, they found 40-year-old William Lamont Hudson unresponsive with a gunshot wound to his lower abdomen. Despite immediate medical attention, Hudson was pronounced dead at the hospital.
According to a witness, who identified herself as Hudson's girlfriend, the couple had been walking near their residence when they noticed a
man hiding in the bushes along the fence line. As they attempted to walk away, the man emerged, and after a brief exchange, he drew a black semi-automatic pistol and shot Hudson once. The assailant then fled the scene.
The suspect, identified as 41-year-old Ryan DeShawn Taylor, was known to the witness from a previous romantic relationship. Taylor was arrested on July 6 and, during a post-Miranda interview, admitted to shooting Hudson. He expressed feelings of being 'toyed with' by the witness, citing her relationships with other men. Taylor has been charged with two counts of second-degree murder in connection with Hudson's death.
A funeral service for William Lamont Hudson was held on July 17, 2023, at the Billman-Hunt Chapel in Minneapolis. An obituary noted that he was born on January 9, 1983, but did not provide further details about his life. Friends and family were invited to share their memories on the Tribute Wall.
Hudson's death is among several intimate partner-related homicides in Minnesota in 2023, highlighting the ongoing issue of domestic violence in the state. Organizations like Violence Free Minnesota continue to work towards addressing and preventing such tragedies.
